ACU's Hach playing spectacular tennis once again

The sophomore is ranked No. 6 in the nation

Eric J. Shelton/Reporter-News
Abilene Christian University's Hans Hach returns a serve during his doubles match at the NCAA Division II South Central Region Tournament. Hach has excelled at singles and doubles, going 25-1 in double and 22-4 in singles,

Hans Hach was pretty spectacular as a freshman last year on the Abilene Christian men's tennis team, but he's been even better this year.

Hach is 22-4 this season as ACU's No. 1 singles player and ranked No. 6 in the nation. The four losses have come against Division I foes, including fifth-ranked Eric Quigley of Kentucky and No. 16 Finn Tearney of Pepperdine.

Hach, who was 21-5 as the Wildcats' No. 1 player last year, said there's been a subtle difference in his play this year.

"I know I can play a little bit," he said. "But I've been playing so many matches the last few years, you get tougher. You're not going to get beat by some random guy."

That's one thing that's driven the Culiacán, Mexico, sophomore. Hach doesn't like to lose, but he certainly doesn't want to lose to someone less talented.

That was something that went through his mind in the South Central Region Championships on May 1 in Abilene. Hach was playing Northwest Missouri State's Calvin

Patterson, a guy he beat 6-2, 6-0 earlier in the season.

"I've been having a great year, but I knew I was better than this guy," Hach said. "I've played him before. But I still get a little nervous. I don't want to lose to him, so I've got to stay tough."

Hach beat Patterson 6-3, 6-2 in the second meeting, but everything — from the wind to what was at stake — boiled in Hach's mind.

"I know anybody can beat me if I don't play well or if I have a bad day. If I have a bad day and a guy has a good day, I know I'm in trouble. I know I have to bring it on and play my best, even though sometimes I don't play my best."

And playing at the No. 1 spot, Hach knows it's important for him to set an example for his teammates — even when he's having a bad day. It's those days that he must find a way to win, no matter what.

"It might be ugly, and I'm going to play some dirty shots and go to the net, but I've still got to get it done," he said. "I've been playing great. That's why I think I've been much more mature. I don't let myself get in trouble against guys I shouldn't get in trouble with."

ACU coach Hutton Jones has been impressed with Hach's work ethic and approach to the game.

"He is my best practicer," Jones said. "He wants to practice more and works the hardest. That's why he's No. 1. In the past, it was like he wanted it too much. He would go out there and get in the wrong mentality. It wasn't on purpose. He wanted to do well. The more you want something, the more you've got to let it go and take care of how you're competing. He didn't control his emotions and thought so it became a little more negative. He's been in matches this year that if he had stayed that way, he would have taken some losses. But he stayed the course, stayed positive, and he won them."

Not all great singles players make good doubles players, but Hach hasn't had much trouble excelling at both. In fact, he's 25-1 in doubles this season, including 23-0 when paired with senior Nick Plum. The duo, ranked No. 6 in the nation, even beat Pepperdine's Alex Llompart and Tearney — ranked No. 4 in Division I — 8-5 this season, as well as a team from Division I Baylor.

Last year, Hach and Jake Hendrie were 14-2 in doubles and finished the year ranked No. 6 in the nation.

Hach said Plum, like Hendrie, complements his game well.

"We have good chemistry," he said. "If I'm not having a good day, he can lift me up, and if he's not having a good day, I can lift him up."

Hach and Plum are part of an ACU team ranked No. 16 in the nation and making its sixth straight trip and 14th overall to the national tournament. The Wildcats (20-8) play Northern Kentucky (16-6) at 1 p.m. today in Louisville, Ky. It's the first national appearance for the Norse. The Wildcats beat them 6-3 earlier this spring at a neutral-site dual in Richmond, Ky.

A victory today would likely set up a quarterfinals matchup with No. 4 Lynn (19-3), and No. 1 Armstrong Atlantic (26-0) would likely loom in the semifinals.

Hach, though, is optimistic.

"We have a really good chance," he said. "I think everybody is improving a lot. Doubles is much better. Division II is more about doubles. We're getting better every day, and we want it so bad. It should be fun."